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FEMA nears disaster fund crisis as hurricanes drain resources
FEMA has already used nearly half of its disaster budget for 2025, prompting potential cuts to rebuilding efforts unless Congress approves additional funding.
In short:
- FEMA has spent $9 billion of its $20 billion disaster fund only eight days into the fiscal year, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton adding pressure.
- Without more funding, FEMA may halt non-essential projects, focusing only on life-saving operations, as it did in previous budget shortages.
- The Small Business Administration also faces funding shortfalls, risking delays for low-interest loans to disaster-affected individuals.
Key quote:
“We keep a reserve in the Disaster Relief Fund to make sure I can always cover these life-saving activities.”
— Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator
Why this matters:
FEMA's rapidly depleting funds threaten the recovery of communities hit by disasters like hurricanes. Without action, essential repairs to infrastructure like roads and water systems could be delayed for months.
For more: FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters
Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda
Climate change is driving stronger hurricanes as cities remain unprepared
Scientists warn that rising global temperatures and cleaner air, with reduced pollution, are making hurricanes more powerful, increasing flood risks for unprepared coastal cities.
In short:
- Climate change is boosting hurricane intensity by increasing wind speeds and flooding potential.
- Reduced sulfate aerosol pollution has contributed to warmer oceans, fueling more frequent and severe storms.
- Coastal cities lack sufficient infrastructure to cope with rising flood risks due to climate change.
Key quote:
“One recent study suggests that human-caused warming boosted the Helene-related flooding in the southeastern U.S. by 40 percent. All of this continues to increase as long as the warming continues until our carbon emissions reach zero.”
— Michael Mann, director of the Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media
Why this matters:
As temperatures rise, hurricanes become stronger and cause more flooding, especially with rising sea levels. Without better preparation, millions of coastal residents remain vulnerable to these escalating climate threats.
Related EHN coverage:
Floods and disinformation threaten Black voter turnout in the wake of Hurricane Helene
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Black survivors in North Carolina and Georgia face ongoing struggles with flood recovery, disinformation, and barriers to voting as the election looms.
In short:
- Hurricane Helene devastated Black communities in North Carolina and Georgia, where aid has been slower and conspiracy theories have worsened the recovery.
- Disinformation spread on social media about FEMA's response, deepening distrust and complicating recovery efforts in these already hard-hit areas.
- Many survivors are left wondering how they’ll vote when they’ve lost homes and access to electricity, with some community members predicting lower voter turnout.
Key quote:
“Who is really going to want to go to a damn poll at this point when you don’t have a house?”
— Falasha Talbert, a mother of 10 and small-business owner
Why this matters:
For many, the idea of voting in upcoming elections feels like a distant priority, and with disinformation spreading about FEMA’s response, it’s getting harder to trust the recovery process. Social media is alive with conspiracy theories, and that cloud of confusion complicates the path to the polls. Read more: The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women.
Hurricanes force some Floridians to face the impossible cost of evacuating
Even with life-threatening hurricanes approaching, many Floridians are trapped by high evacuation costs, from flights and hotels to rental cars and gas shortages.
In short:
- Many Floridians can't afford to evacuate, with 43% having less than $1,000 saved for emergencies.
- Dynamic pricing makes last-minute flights, hotel stays and rental cars far more expensive just before hurricanes hit.
- Free shelters and transportation exist, but many struggle to access them, especially those with pets or family needs.
Key quote:
“You may need to have social support, potentially, if you want to stay with family and friends who are outside of the area. You have to have the ability to leave your job.”
— Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, research associate at the Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder
Why this matters:
Climate disasters increasingly highlight the socioeconomic divide, as poorer communities face greater challenges in evacuating and rebuilding. Addressing these inequities can save lives during future storms.
Oregon utility faces climate lawsuit for misleading customers
Oregon has expanded a $50 billion climate lawsuit to include NW Natural, accusing the gas utility of deceiving customers about the environmental harm caused by burning fossil fuels.
In short:
- Oregon added NW Natural to a major lawsuit claiming it hid the dangers of fossil fuels from consumers.
- The lawsuit originally targeted oil giants like Exxon and Shell for contributing to climate change.
- Legal experts see this case as part of a broader trend of climate-related lawsuits against energy companies.
Key quote:
Gas utilities have been "significant players in the historic and ongoing deception campaigns to mislead the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.”
— Alyssa Johl, Center for Climate Integrity
Why this matters:
Fossil fuel companies have long been accused of concealing the true environmental costs of their products, which contributes to global warming. Lawsuits like this could reshape how these companies are held accountable for climate change-related disasters.
Related: Oregon’s biggest gas company isn’t as green as it claims
The fight to protect water in Fort Chipewyan grows urgent
Residents of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, are speaking out about rising cancer cases and other health concerns they believe are linked to tailings ponds from nearby oilsands operations.
In short:
- Fort Chipewyan residents worry that oilsands tailings, containing toxic chemicals like arsenic and mercury, are contaminating their drinking water.
- The community faces increasing cancer rates, but the government has not conducted a comprehensive health study on the water's safety.
- Despite reassurances from officials, many residents do not trust the water and rely on bottled water for drinking.
Key quote:
"You live in that fear because people are starting to get cancer and it's kept going and going and going. Now it's getting worse."
— Claire Cardinal, Fort Chipewyan resident
Why this matters:
Tailings ponds from oilsands are filled with toxic waste, and communities downstream fear their water is contaminated, impacting both health and the environment. Without definitive studies or action, their concerns and lives remain in limbo.
Read more: Toxic tar sands spill in Canada raises questions for First Nation community
British Columbia's election may shift climate and Indigenous policies
British Columbia’s upcoming election presents voters with a choice between the BC NDP’s progressive approach to climate action and Indigenous rights and the BC Conservative Party’s climate denial and opposition to shared land use with First Nations.
In short:
- BC’s NDP government has enacted progressive climate and Indigenous policies, including a landmark law to share land-use decisions with First Nations.
- The Conservatives, led by climate-change denier John Rustad, oppose these measures, promising to revoke them if elected.
- The election will decide whether BC continues as Canada’s progressive stronghold or reverses course.
Key quote:
“What DRIPA is trying to do is keep it out of the courts, to recognize that First Nations have rights, title, sovereignty and self-determination.”
— Terry Teegee, regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.
Why this matters:
BC faces climate disasters and economic challenges tied to resource industries. Indigenous rights and sustainable development have reshaped provincial policies, but the upcoming election could hamper those efforts.
Related: Climate change poses severe health risks in British Columbia
Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year
An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.
LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all
“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”
Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?
A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.
Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer
Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.
The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report
“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”
Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance
The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.